Inferno | Draco Malfoy

014 | Summer

So little time and so much to say. I'm amazed by how quick third year was. It felt like it's been a month since I walked onto platform nine and three-quarters. Slytherin won the house cup this year because we won the Quidditch Cup. Daphne thinks I gave us a huge advantage by answering so many of Professor Snape's questions.

This year is the 442nd Quidditch World Cup and I'm missing out on it. I don't mind, I don't support the two teams that are playing and I am in the beautiful country of Italy for this summer. No complaints, it is fun being out and exploring the city.

The biggest and only con is that I need my bodyguard everywhere I go and Camden gets to be alone. Why can't I just pull out my wand and do some hexes? Winslet is my bodyguard, he's a decent bloke to be fair. He's in his late thirties and has a sense of humour. Word had gotten out that the Harlows are in Italy like wildfire. I managed to make it in the magic Italian headlines, which is fantastic! I have global admirers, they call me a Bella or Bellissima which means beautiful, I think.

Usually, I go outside. Shopping in the magic world buying suviourners. The city is wonderful and the people are so nice. I will never get over the food, the cured meat is so good. It's burning hot as well and I'm not trying to tan anytime soon. That's why I sometimes prefer to stay indoors in the library, reading, studying and writing letters to friends and family (my cousins).

I've also started to cook a bit more often. Of course, the house elves do all the cooking in my family but I just like to try my own food from time to time. Not to mention, I want to make sure that I'm not a hazard in the kitchen, like setting the place down in flames or poisoning someone.

Anyways, I'm at an event today with my parents and brother. The only information I was told was that it's an outdoor venue.

I still have no idea where I am at.

It's like a massive garden but not really a garden at the same time because it doesn't feel like one. The atmosphere feels too expensive for me to call it an ordinary event, looks wise it is nothing impressive. Couple of animals roaming on the grass, how lovely.

Dozens of wizards approach me, more of the witches ambush me. I talk to them individually, trying to respond and ask questions. Everyone is ridiculously stylish with "casual" fancy clothes and the finest jewellery, I hope it's spurious because if anyone loses any jewels then there will be more than chaos.

Some random old man raises his wine glass, tapping it with a knife to catch all of our attention. He has a thick Italian accent which makes me try and break down everything he is currently saying, I think he said "annual" and "private". Boom, this is a private annual event. I'm a genius.

What if I just leave? Not leave, leave since I don't have any form of transport. I could nick one of the magical carriages- no. That's a terrible idea, I would crash the carriage and its just wrong in general. Should I go for a walk? I doubt anyone will realise my absence, they are all too busy staring at some sculpture.

Agreeing with my impulse, I whisper to Camden that I'll be going on a walk.

"I'll send Winslet for you." He whispers back.

"No, there's no need for that." I show him my wand that's in my dress pocket.

This is one of the many times the Silentsneak will be useful to me, I tap once at my wrist to prevent any noise from being heard by my footsteps.

Boring, unoriginal, bland. People don't know how to spend their racks on racks amount of money at all. Okay wow, you have a few water fountains and a cat-looking lynx, but where are the interesting flowers? Stupid tulips and daisies, not one asphodel in sight.

I walk further down, past the normal flower bushes and to the third water fountain. There's an unfamiliar face on a bench reading a book. She's really pretty, like gorgeous pretty. I've seen her in a magazine before, a French magazine I believe it was. She tucks a strand of her short brown hair behind her ear as she looks at me.

"Forgive me." I smile and turn around to leave.

"Wait." She lets out a gentle whisper. "You're welcome to stay here, Lady Harlow." She stands up and does a curtsy before opening her hand to the bench, signalling for me to sit down.

"Your name, Miss?"

"Heather Laveau, Lady Harlow."

Laveau, she's French and obviously famous in the wizarding world or just rich in general. From what I can make out, she's older than me. Maybe the same age as Camden. Definitely social, which makes her more likeable. At first, Laveau was a bit hesitant and shy since she kept fidgeting but, the more she talked the more enthusiastic she got.

Together, we return to the venue once the sun started to set.

Camden notices us first, well Laveau first. "Miss Laveau." He nods his head at the brunette, adjusting his clothes.

"Lord Harlow." She bows down to him.

Mum and Dad are talking to the man hosting the event, the one with the thick Italian accent.

Camden and Laveau seem to be fond of each other, it is definitely not their first time meeting. If it is, then they sure are good at getting rid of any awkwardness. What the hell did Laveau do to my brother? Camden rarely talks to any of the girls at school, especially the ones that are head over heels for him. Now look at him, sweet talking to the girl.

Did he just- he just whispered something in her ear and now she's giggling. Is this considered typical or is this considered courting because I sure think they are making sheep's eyes at each other.

Accio bucket. Like right now.

I am not going to see my brother declare his love for anyone.